Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Pyrenean star of Bethlehem, Bath asparagus, Spiked star of Bethlehem, French asparagus (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum).
More about pyrenean star of bethlehem
About Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem
Ornithogalum pyrenaicum · also called Pyrenean star of Bethlehem, Bath asparagus · flowering
Ornithogalum pyrenaicum is a stately spring-to-early-summer bulb native to open woodlands and grasslands across western and central Europe, including Britain, where it is a scarce native plant most famously associated with the woodlands around Bath, Somerset. Its tall, erect spikes of pale greenish-white, starry flowers open from bottom to top and are valued as a long-lasting cut flower. Historically the young flower spikes were gathered and eaten as 'Bath asparagus', though this is no longer recommended given its protected status in the wild; cultivated plants are best enjoyed in the border or cutting garden with minimal interference after planting. All Ornithogalum species are toxic to pets.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Slow establishment / failure to flower: Bulbs can take 2–3 years to settle and produce full flower spikes after planting; ensure planting depth is three times the bulb's height and the location receives adequate spring sunshine.
The reasons pyrenean star of bethlehem isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming pyrenean star of bethlehem traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding pyrenean star of bethlehem a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get pyrenean star of bethlehem to flower
- Maximise sun. Give pyrenean star of bethlehem the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for pyrenean star of bethlehem and get the feeding right with the pyrenean star of bethlehem fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full pyrenean star of bethlehem care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my pyrenean star of bethlehem flower?
Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make pyrenean star of bethlehem bloom?
Give pyrenean star of bethlehem the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does pyrenean star of bethlehem normally bloom?
Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with pyrenean star of bethlehem after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping pyrenean star of bethlehem flowering?
Feeding pyrenean star of bethlehem a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 4114 bloom guides in the Growli library